Abide Master Plan

How-To This Spiritual Master Plan is designed to be a practical, simple guide that support all staff (leaders, teachers and non-teaching staff) in Adventist schools, to abide in Christ. It can also be used to identify the spiritual culture of a school — and how staff might contribute to helping it improve. In order to develop a successful Spiritual Master Plan, all staff must be involved in this process. There are three sections to this Spiritual Master Plan Guide. SECTION 1: WHO ARE WE? The first step for your school’s leaders, teachers and non-teaching staff to explore together, is the reason your school operates at the local level by writing a memorable Spiritual Purpose Statement. The next step for your school’s leaders, teachers and non-teaching staff to explore together, is the reason your school operates through discussing Adventist Schools Australia’s mission and vision statements. What do these statements really mean and how do they inform your school of its goals? Spend some time reviewing and discussing your local Conference schools mission and vision statements to deepen the discussion. The vision and mission statements from Adventist Schools Australia should also contribute to your discussion: • Adventist Schools Australia Vision Statement: To create thriving, disciple making schools. • Adventist Schools Australia Mission Statement: Leading students to Christ by supporting, connecting and uniting our school communities of faith and learning. Keep in mind that a mission statement explains the reason for the school system’s existence, while a vision statement describes the high-level goals for the future (what the system hopes to achieve if it successfully fulfils their mission). As teachers and stakeholders write a concise and memorable Spiritual Purpose Statement , the spiritual goals of their school will become more deeply realised. This will form the foundation of your Spiritual Master Plan. As your school writes their own Spiritual Purpose Statement , you may want to consider the following guiding questions: • What are your school’s spiritual goals when it comes to the staff, students and their families? • What underpins the aspirations of your school’s culture? • What is one grounding Bible verse that helps direct your school in its spiritual goals? An example: Pine Lake Adventist School encourages students, staff and families to daily abide in Christ, as we uphold the Bible as our foundational guide for a life of learning, a source of encouragement in our relationships, and as a light for our future. Together, as we seek to live a life of surrender and service to God, our goal is to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8) while we wait for His return. As you craft your Spiritual Purpose Statement, we encourage you to consider what it means to abide in Christ and bear fruit as His disciples. Consider spending some time together in worship — praying and exploring John 15:1-12 (see Resource section for ideas). Your Spiritual Purpose Statement should be as living and dynamic as possible. Its message should be visible and embedded in all verbal and nonverbal communication as you live out God’s spiritual plan for your school. 3